As time expired, Broncos kicker Jason Elam booted a 42-yard field goal for the opening-day victory.
What did you think of the game? Of Jay Cutler’s performance in the first game of his first full year as the starting quarterback? Of Cutler running the option? Of the Jim Bates defense? Of special teams?

Did Mike Klis watch the same game I watched? In his post-game article he writes, a “Brilliant defensive performance”? Are you kidding me? I’ve heard of “homers” before, but that claim is outrageous. Is Klis the latest TJ Simmers? The run defense against a mediocre opponent was weak, average at best. Bailey, the stud of the defense is thankful Losman isn’t a better quarterback or he’d have been toast a couple of times. DJ Williams played better, which means he wasn’t completely out of the play 90% of the time. The “defense” is, at a stretch, a work in progress. The Broncos won, barely. As predicted, Henry will need to carry this team (1600 – 1800 yards) if they are to see the playoffs.

Tony

Did Mike Klis watch the same game I watched? In his post-game article he writes, a “Brilliant defensive performance”? Are you kidding me? I’ve heard of “homers” before, but that claim is outrageous. Is Klis the latest TJ Simmers? The run defense against a mediocre opponent was weak, average at best. Bailey, the stud of the defense is thankful Losman isn’t a better quarterback or he’d have been toast a couple of times. DJ Williams played better, which means he wasn’t completely out of the play 90% of the time. The “defense” is, at a stretch, a work in progress. The Broncos won, barely. As predicted, Henry will need to carry this team (1600 – 1800 yards) if they are to see the playoffs.

Jim

My father used to say if you can’t say anything good don’t say any thing at all. Still, the Broncos and their not so polished game, squeezed out a win aginst a mediocre team,. You have to give them credit for out trying the other team, and playing as a team.This was a team win. We see once again that the difference between winning and loosing is vey small indeed.Despite lousy punts,bad low shot gun snaps, terrible special teams play, Poor red zone play calling,poor to sloppy execution on offense, the usual linbacker “Oh lays”,the total lack of penetration by the D-line, the lack of technique or ability to get off blocks. They came out in the second half, fought hard and won !Alot of guys stepped it up a notch, DJ Williams , Baby TO,Champ and to many to list. Did you notice how the running game took off after they went to the double tight end set. And you don’t want to see Cutler out blocking down field , a damn good way to get hurt, This team has a long ways to go, but a win is a win! I’d like to see DD lewis get some playing time! Brandon Stokely sure epitomizes a professional ,he is well coached and it shows. This team is poorly coached, and thats the problem in a nut shell. They need to clean things up,and get themselves and their game in better shape ,like the New England. Get the right line up on Deffense

Jim

My father used to say if you can’t say anything good don’t say any thing at all. Still, the Broncos and their not so polished game, squeezed out a win aginst a mediocre team,. You have to give them credit for out trying the other team, and playing as a team.This was a team win. We see once again that the difference between winning and loosing is vey small indeed.Despite lousy punts,bad low shot gun snaps, terrible special teams play, Poor red zone play calling,poor to sloppy execution on offense, the usual linbacker “Oh lays”,the total lack of penetration by the D-line, the lack of technique or ability to get off blocks. They came out in the second half, fought hard and won !Alot of guys stepped it up a notch, DJ Williams , Baby TO,Champ and to many to list. Did you notice how the running game took off after they went to the double tight end set. And you don’t want to see Cutler out blocking down field , a damn good way to get hurt, This team has a long ways to go, but a win is a win! I’d like to see DD lewis get some playing time! Brandon Stokely sure epitomizes a professional ,he is well coached and it shows. This team is poorly coached, and thats the problem in a nut shell. They need to clean things up,and get themselves and their game in better shape ,like the New England. Get the right line up on Deffense

Larry

A mediocre team!! I guess people have forgotten about the great finish that Buffalo had last year. Winning their last 4 games against tough opponuts. When I saw the scedule come out I was worried about this game. I think I saw more heart and emotion for the first game of the season where the Broncos went into a hostile stadium and came out with a nail-biting win. Something they haven’t done the last 2 years……I say cudos to them and GO BRONCO’S

Larry

A mediocre team!! I guess people have forgotten about the great finish that Buffalo had last year. Winning their last 4 games against tough opponuts. When I saw the scedule come out I was worried about this game. I think I saw more heart and emotion for the first game of the season where the Broncos went into a hostile stadium and came out with a nail-biting win. Something they haven’t done the last 2 years……I say cudos to them and GO BRONCO’S

Brad

I think the reason they didn’t spike it was because it was 3rd and 10 when Walker caught the pass and they weren’t exactly sure they had made the 1st down. The play went for 11 yards and it was indeed 1st down when the field goal was kicked, but if they had only gained 9 yards then the spike would have occurred on 4th down. The crew was probably still moving the chains when they kicked the field goal.

Brad

I think the reason they didn’t spike it was because it was 3rd and 10 when Walker caught the pass and they weren’t exactly sure they had made the 1st down. The play went for 11 yards and it was indeed 1st down when the field goal was kicked, but if they had only gained 9 yards then the spike would have occurred on 4th down. The crew was probably still moving the chains when they kicked the field goal.

Jeff

So the Broncos were sloppy, I think that was easy to see. We need to clean up many rough edges before the Indy game or the spanking will be brutal. But a win is a win and it doesn’t have to be pretty. Great clutch finish, guys!!!

Jeff

So the Broncos were sloppy, I think that was easy to see. We need to clean up many rough edges before the Indy game or the spanking will be brutal. But a win is a win and it doesn’t have to be pretty. Great clutch finish, guys!!!

3+6+7=4??

Excellent point, Paul. It was a disasterous day on special teams and the one thing they seemingly did right was the wrong thing to do! Amazing that they actually won this game.

Hard to believe our special teams could get worse than last year. And if we didn’t have Champ covering kicks it would have been WORSE!!! The more I think about it the more upset I get.

3+6+7=4??

Excellent point, Paul. It was a disasterous day on special teams and the one thing they seemingly did right was the wrong thing to do! Amazing that they actually won this game.

Hard to believe our special teams could get worse than last year. And if we didn’t have Champ covering kicks it would have been WORSE!!! The more I think about it the more upset I get.

Bronco Joe

Would you rather be a Chief or Raiduh fan today? Lose to Houston and Detroit by multiple TDs each? Ha Ha HA!

Unless you are in a time capsule on the planet ZENAR, you know this team will be better at the end of the year than now. They have a QB that started his 6th (6th!) game today and at times looked like a rookie – which he basically is. They have about 1/2 their starting lineup changed. Winning ugly early is the key to the season.

Since the negatrons will post plenty, I’ll give the glass 1/2 full evaluation:

1) Cutler threw for over 300 yards – give this guy 2-3 years to develop, he’s 22 years old!
2) Henry put up 139 – fits the system well
3) O-line did a good job without starting left guard and new right guard and right tackle
4) Broncos put up 470 yards to Buffalo’s 184 (yes dum-dum that’s a good defensive performance against any team – even the lowly Chiefs O put up 219 yards)
5) Won TOP battle on the road with 33 min to Buffalo’s 27
6) Brandon Marshall is going to be a player
7) Stokley is the best #3 receiver this team has seen since the 80s
8) Best of all – they WON the game which is better than the last two seasons

Special team were brutal again which is the only reason this game was even close.

This isn’t college – there are no gimmes on the road in the NFL (well, maybe Cleveland)

Bronco Joe

Would you rather be a Chief or Raiduh fan today? Lose to Houston and Detroit by multiple TDs each? Ha Ha HA!

Unless you are in a time capsule on the planet ZENAR, you know this team will be better at the end of the year than now. They have a QB that started his 6th (6th!) game today and at times looked like a rookie – which he basically is. They have about 1/2 their starting lineup changed. Winning ugly early is the key to the season.

Since the negatrons will post plenty, I’ll give the glass 1/2 full evaluation:

1) Cutler threw for over 300 yards – give this guy 2-3 years to develop, he’s 22 years old!
2) Henry put up 139 – fits the system well
3) O-line did a good job without starting left guard and new right guard and right tackle
4) Broncos put up 470 yards to Buffalo’s 184 (yes dum-dum that’s a good defensive performance against any team – even the lowly Chiefs O put up 219 yards)
5) Won TOP battle on the road with 33 min to Buffalo’s 27
6) Brandon Marshall is going to be a player
7) Stokley is the best #3 receiver this team has seen since the 80s
8) Best of all – they WON the game which is better than the last two seasons

Special team were brutal again which is the only reason this game was even close.

This isn’t college – there are no gimmes on the road in the NFL (well, maybe Cleveland)

Goose

I think it was a great fought game. You saw everything you were expected to see, a young QB making mistakes, but learning in the process, yet at no point was the game in peril due to Cutler’s play
The defense played well, the offense was ok, but moved the ball when we had to
The only thing that surprised me was the “option” plays on offense
That’s a play we need to forget about for a while. It’s a play that have to be executed flawlessly, or it will be 6 points the other way

Goose

I think it was a great fought game. You saw everything you were expected to see, a young QB making mistakes, but learning in the process, yet at no point was the game in peril due to Cutler’s play
The defense played well, the offense was ok, but moved the ball when we had to
The only thing that surprised me was the “option” plays on offense
That’s a play we need to forget about for a while. It’s a play that have to be executed flawlessly, or it will be 6 points the other way

Randy

The good: Travis Henry looks like the first Broncos back since Portis capable of grinding 120 each game.

Javon, Marshall and Stokeley looked good, although if they keep throwing those quick slants, Javon won’t last the season. If I’m a defensive coordinator, I make sure my guys cut him in half every time he catches one of those.

The bad: Cutler had a pick and a pass/lateral that made Aaron Brooks and Plummer look like game managers. He should have been picked off two other times. Jay reminds me a lot of Kerry Collins with those falling back throws off his back foot. They work sometimes, but against a good defense, and Buffalo is not, those are trouble waiting to happen. But he got the win, which makes everything all right.

The defense looked painfully slow. But hey, Shanahan had that lifeless/soulless/maniacal/must win look in his beety black eyes, and when you have that, you have a chance.

Randy

The good: Travis Henry looks like the first Broncos back since Portis capable of grinding 120 each game.

Javon, Marshall and Stokeley looked good, although if they keep throwing those quick slants, Javon won’t last the season. If I’m a defensive coordinator, I make sure my guys cut him in half every time he catches one of those.

The bad: Cutler had a pick and a pass/lateral that made Aaron Brooks and Plummer look like game managers. He should have been picked off two other times. Jay reminds me a lot of Kerry Collins with those falling back throws off his back foot. They work sometimes, but against a good defense, and Buffalo is not, those are trouble waiting to happen. But he got the win, which makes everything all right.

The defense looked painfully slow. But hey, Shanahan had that lifeless/soulless/maniacal/must win look in his beety black eyes, and when you have that, you have a chance.

Buffalo Bill

The broncos are lucky our DBs can’t catch otherwise the game would have been ours!

Buffalo Bill

The broncos are lucky our DBs can’t catch otherwise the game would have been ours!

Al

What was with the poor ball snapping yesterday? This seemed uncharacteristic for the Broncos. Any clues?

Al

What was with the poor ball snapping yesterday? This seemed uncharacteristic for the Broncos. Any clues?

Upstate Tom

Living in upstate NY and being a Broncos fan I can tell the naysayers that the team was awesome—first game, very emotional home game (especially after the injury)for the Bills,tough place to play, and they did a great job—sure, not perfect, but this is a road game—glad I was there–nice “team” win, from coaches to everyone who made the effort—naysayers missed a great game!

Upstate Tom

Living in upstate NY and being a Broncos fan I can tell the naysayers that the team was awesome—first game, very emotional home game (especially after the injury)for the Bills,tough place to play, and they did a great job—sure, not perfect, but this is a road game—glad I was there–nice “team” win, from coaches to everyone who made the effort—naysayers missed a great game!

Jim

#10 I have to admit your right about that look in Shanahaans eyes, even he looked like a scrapper!Does this team have heart? Or are they going to play just hard enough, business as usual. Did we catch a glimpes of a team with heart? Time will tell.

Jim

#10 I have to admit your right about that look in Shanahaans eyes, even he looked like a scrapper!Does this team have heart? Or are they going to play just hard enough, business as usual. Did we catch a glimpes of a team with heart? Time will tell.

David

Please tell me that the guy returning punts and kickoffs is not the best the broncos have. This guy was a joke and couldn’t return for a touchdown on an empty field without tripping on something. He had no vision what so ever.
The O and D looked real good for an opener.

David

Please tell me that the guy returning punts and kickoffs is not the best the broncos have. This guy was a joke and couldn’t return for a touchdown on an empty field without tripping on something. He had no vision what so ever.
The O and D looked real good for an opener.

kenman

Doesn’t anyone wonder about the abysmal play calling? We’d go 60 yards in 3 or 4 plays, then run up the middle for 3 or 4 yards and “try” a field goal. Then, with under 2 minutes, Shanahan calls two running plays for a loss, one of them with under a minute to play and costing us our final timeout!!! Incredibly bad clock management!! We should have won by at least 24 points.

kenman

Doesn’t anyone wonder about the abysmal play calling? We’d go 60 yards in 3 or 4 plays, then run up the middle for 3 or 4 yards and “try” a field goal. Then, with under 2 minutes, Shanahan calls two running plays for a loss, one of them with under a minute to play and costing us our final timeout!!! Incredibly bad clock management!! We should have won by at least 24 points.

St. James Bronc

Way to go Broncos!!! Good teams find a way to win these kind of games. Can’t wait for Rice to get into game shape. Hixon looked slower than the linemen. If Gold doesn’t start tackling then he needs to be replaced.

St. James Bronc

Way to go Broncos!!! Good teams find a way to win these kind of games. Can’t wait for Rice to get into game shape. Hixon looked slower than the linemen. If Gold doesn’t start tackling then he needs to be replaced.

Jay

Marshawn Lynch looks like the real deal. A tough, very powerful runner, and the Broncos D did a great job in keeping him in check. Sure they gave up a touchdown, but that’s it, 7 points, the whole game. They held the Bill’s offense to under 200 total yards, and shut down the passing game.

The Bill D brought the heat time and time again, and despite making life difficult for Jay-C, this Kid QB showed just what a talent he is, and how much drive he has. It seems obvious he already has the best talent a QB can master. A VERY short memory. Kusos to Jay-C for for not folding under what seemed to be nearly impossible odds to eek out the win in the final 2 minutes.

Special teams… The game winning field goal was a thing of legend, the rest of the game should be forgotten. Horrible kick coverage. The return game needs work. Catch the ball and run, no dancing (this means you Hixon).

Some areas that need to be addressed.

1) Sloppy tackeling, especially early in the game. It may have been a lack of contact during training camp that has left the defense rusty, but arm tackles aren’t going to bring down big powerful runners.

3) Offensive play calling. I’m still trying to figure out what the game plan was. I love seeing a team mix it up and to keep a defense guessing, but it seemed like the coaching staff was grasping at straws for no good reason.

4) Horrendous kick coverage. Special teams overall were dismall, granted missed field goals happen, especially with some gusty winds, but there is no excuse for letting a team get that kind of production from their kick returners.

5) Calm Jay-C down. I love his drive, I love his ability, but he needs to settle down, and not rush his throws. He had a number of passes that looked to eager, and not because of pressure. Jay-C needs to settle down a bit, and realize it takes those short passes just as much as the running game to setup the long ball.

I think this team is definately headed in the right direction. There are area’s of concern (namely the special teams), but the broncos should only get better as the season wears on.

Jay

Marshawn Lynch looks like the real deal. A tough, very powerful runner, and the Broncos D did a great job in keeping him in check. Sure they gave up a touchdown, but that’s it, 7 points, the whole game. They held the Bill’s offense to under 200 total yards, and shut down the passing game.

The Bill D brought the heat time and time again, and despite making life difficult for Jay-C, this Kid QB showed just what a talent he is, and how much drive he has. It seems obvious he already has the best talent a QB can master. A VERY short memory. Kusos to Jay-C for for not folding under what seemed to be nearly impossible odds to eek out the win in the final 2 minutes.

Special teams… The game winning field goal was a thing of legend, the rest of the game should be forgotten. Horrible kick coverage. The return game needs work. Catch the ball and run, no dancing (this means you Hixon).

Some areas that need to be addressed.

1) Sloppy tackeling, especially early in the game. It may have been a lack of contact during training camp that has left the defense rusty, but arm tackles aren’t going to bring down big powerful runners.

3) Offensive play calling. I’m still trying to figure out what the game plan was. I love seeing a team mix it up and to keep a defense guessing, but it seemed like the coaching staff was grasping at straws for no good reason.

4) Horrendous kick coverage. Special teams overall were dismall, granted missed field goals happen, especially with some gusty winds, but there is no excuse for letting a team get that kind of production from their kick returners.

5) Calm Jay-C down. I love his drive, I love his ability, but he needs to settle down, and not rush his throws. He had a number of passes that looked to eager, and not because of pressure. Jay-C needs to settle down a bit, and realize it takes those short passes just as much as the running game to setup the long ball.

I think this team is definately headed in the right direction. There are area’s of concern (namely the special teams), but the broncos should only get better as the season wears on.

Living in the wrong city

What a game! Usually I am just there to watch some football. I tend not to care who wins or loses. I was bored out of my mind for about 59 minutes and then it turned into one of the greatest finishes I have ever seen.

I have a question. There was a young lady in the tunnel endzone with a sign that was done in Broncos colors. It said “ALL READY.” Did anyone happen to see it and does anyone know the significance? I presume it means something to the team.

Living in the wrong city

What a game! Usually I am just there to watch some football. I tend not to care who wins or loses. I was bored out of my mind for about 59 minutes and then it turned into one of the greatest finishes I have ever seen.

I have a question. There was a young lady in the tunnel endzone with a sign that was done in Broncos colors. It said “ALL READY.” Did anyone happen to see it and does anyone know the significance? I presume it means something to the team.

harvey

i still think the whole darn team are a bunch of overpaid jerks when and if they ever play a good game i will say different

harvey

i still think the whole darn team are a bunch of overpaid jerks when and if they ever play a good game i will say different

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.